Free tissue reconstruction of traumatic soft-tissue defects

Abstract

Soft tissue trauma to the head and neck is most often managed by local tissue debridement and rearrangement. In rare instances it may require free tissue transfer to bring composite tissue into the field. In cases of massive composite tissue loss, a free tissue transfer may be the only method of reconstructing the patient. Traumatic injuries to the head and neck can be one of those instances that requires major tissue rearrangement. The loss of vital structures results in severe malfunction of speech and deglutition with cosmetic sequelae. This article demonstrates the utility of free tissue transfer in the reconstruction of massive composite defects in the head and neck following trauma.